The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-09-10
A SOLDIERS SHIELD.
Roma,ic lnc,den, Of the Civi, War.

~ SVAIu1LN - ShAhANs
Roma,ic Incident Of the Civil War.
IAtlantic Special to Commercial Gazette
The death ofCui. U. II. Smith, which
took place in New York few days
ago, has brought to light very re-
markable incident. Miss Rhett
Myron, the principal figure in the
drama, is a personal friend OF your
correspondent, and from her the fol-
mission for their publication Hayne
NIyrop, the father of the young lady,
was planter in South Carolina. His
home was typical South Carolina
home, spacious and hospitable, sur
rounded by broad acres aud faithful
slaves. His family consisted of his
wife aud an only child-Rhett-WhO
was the idol Of the father aud the pet
of the plantation. AT the breaking out
OF the war Hayne Myron Joined a
volunteer South Carolina regiment.
Before leaving home he had painted a
| miniature picture uf his little girl,
which he incased in u tocket, saying ::
"My darling, this will be papa's shield
when he is in danger and his sunshine
when he rests" and he smothered the
face and sunny head with kisses and
hurried away with eyes filled with
tears and an aching heart. Six months
later Hayne Myron was killed in a
skirmish in Virginia while In close
combat by a Federal officer. Only u
few words were sent 10 the old home
! to tell the sad story.
During Gen. Sherinan's Invasion In
South Carolina the Myron homestead
was destroyed, but the widow and
daughter continued to live on the plan
tation in an outhOuse, and we've sup-
ported by the rents from the lands.
Two years ago Mrs. Myron died, and
Miss Myron, through tho influence of
friends, obtained the position OF COVER
| ness in the family of Col. u. II, Smith,
in New York: She stated to me that
her first meeting with Col. Smith was
very pecuiiar--that when his wife In
troduced her, saying: "This is our
new governess, Miss Rhett Myron,"
his face turned deadly pale, and as he
mechanically extended his hand to her
he made and effort to speak, but his
lips seemed sealed. Later his manner
became more cordial and unrestrained,
and he treated her more as an honored
guest than salaried teacher. He in.
sisted on paying her four times the
amount she charged, and made her
duties very light.
One evening she was sitting in the
family circle, telling of her past life
down in South Carolina-of the large
old house, with its twenty columns, and
of the dusky slaves who called her
their "little queen" as they carried her
on their shoulders through the cotton
fields. She never had mentioned her
fathers name before, but she spoke OF
him, how handsome and sad he looked
on that last day-how he took her pic
ture, and all he said to her at part.
| ing. She states that at the mention of
her father Col. Smith seemed agitated,
and suddenly left the room. 1t was
all so strange then, she said, but now
! it seems so plain.
Six weeks ago Col. Smith was taken
| very i'll, and when he realized that
death was inevitable ne requested to
see Miss Myron.
She says that rs she neared the bed
Of the dying man she saw that he held
convulsively something in one hDnd as
he extended the other to her, exclaim-
ing, "cone quick, Rhctt Myron, and
forgive-ob, can you forgive me? 1t
was who killed your father; these
hands are red with his blood. God has
God has pardoned me, but cannot die
till you forgive me. Take this; it was
on your fathers dying beari. 1t is
your face, and on it is your name and
his. Say it is not too late-you will
not let me die with your orphan moans
echoipg over my grave?'
| The poor girl caught his hands in
hers and only could say, "Oh sir, you
were both soldiers; l freely forgive
you," and she fell unconscious upon
the floor. When she recovered all was
over. The slayer of her father and the
kindest friend of her life was dead.
The reading of Col. Smiths will re-
veaed the fact that he bcqueathed to
Miss Myron the generous sum of SI5,-
600; also, the request that she would
make her home rs long as she desired
with his wife and children, as a men,
Der OF the household.
l have seen the little picture which
was the key that unlocked the mys-
terry of Rhett Myron's life. 1t is n
sweet child face, in cloud of azure
and gold. Across the locket are traced
the names Of the father and child,
while on the faded plush case are
drops of blood.
bic incident that it has ever been the
privilege of your correspondent TO
record.